Three SA Rugby U20 Cup games were played over the weekend, with the DHL Stormers Bolts and Fidelity ADT Lions U20s playing out a thrilling 28-28 draw in Cape Town; the Leopards clinched a 40-31 win in Potchefstroom against the Toyota Cheetahs U20s; and the Vodacom Bulls U20s’ 40-33 away win over the Sharks GEN in Durban shot them to the top of the standings.
The Bulls are leading on 20 points from their fourth win, followed by the Lions on 18 points. The Stormers Bolts moved up to 14 points in third, the Sharks GEN are fourth (nine), the Leopards sixth (seven), and the Cheetahs are still looking to break their duck (two points).
The DHL Stormers Bolts dominated the first half at City Park in Cape Town, leading 21-7 at halftime thanks to tries from Junior Bok prop Jordan Jooste and a brace by No 8 Quintin Potgieter, all converted by flyhalf Dawid Badenhorst.
The Fidelity ADT Lions U20S responded strongly after the break, with tries from Adriano Jackson, Thapelo Mphela, and Lian Terblanche, with Jeandre Uithaler adding the extras to level the scores. Both teams scored four tries each, with conversions proving crucial.
The Vodacom Bulls U20S outscored the Sharks GEN by six tries to five in an entertaining fixture in Durban. The first half saw the lead change hands several times, with the visitors taking a 26-19 lead at the break.
The hosts responded strongly after the break, briefly taking the lead thanks to tries from Clinton Agu and Gregan Jansen. However, the Bulls maintained composure, capitalising on key opportunities and ultimately securing the victory.
Despite a hat-trick from Sharks hooker Clinton Agu, the Bulls' balanced attack and accurate kicking from Ruben Pienaar proved decisive.
In the third encounter staged at Olen Park in Potchefstroom, the Leopards delivered a polished second-half performance which saw them overturn a 19-15 halftime deficit into a deserved 40-31 victory over the Cheetahs.
The hosts crossed the whitewash six times and added five conversions, while the Free Staters dotted five tries and three conversions. In the end, the kicking boot of Leopards flyhalf Marno Greeff was a deciding factor as he slotted five conversions to complete an impressive comeback for his side.
Next weekend's fixtures see the Lions take on the Sharks GEN in Johannesburg (Friday, 13h00); the Cheetahs host the Bulls in Bloemfontein (Friday, 14h00); and the Leopards face the Stormers Bolts in Potchefstroom (Saturday, 12h00).
Scorers:
DHL Stormers Bolts 28 (21), Fidelity ADT Lions U20 28 (7)
Stormers – Tries: Jordan Jooste, Quintin Potgieter (2), Dominic Clee. Conversions: Dawid Badenhorst (4).
Lions – Tries: Adriano Jackson, Thapelo Mphela, Lian Terblanche, Meyer Opperman. Conversions: Jeandre Uithaler (4).
Sharks GEN 33 (19), Vodacom Bulls U20 40 (26)
Sharks – Tries: Clinton Agu (3), Gregan Jansen, William Ridl. Conversions: Iwan Jordaan (4).
Bulls – Tries: Stefan McDonald (2), Hendré Schoeman, Dian Smal, Liyema Nela, Junaide Stuart. Conversions: Ruben Pienaar (5).
Leopards U20 40 (14), Toyota Cheetahs 31 (19)
Leopards – Tries: Handre Maree (2), Erich Potgieter, Liebrecht Winterbach, Hubert Winterbach (2). Conversions: Marno Greeff (5).
Cheetahs – Tries: Duncan Basson (2), Mokgaotsi Mosiane, H.G. Muller, Jason Rip. Conversions: Darius Erwee (3).